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Founded by the ABA in 1942, the American Bar Endowment is a §501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization composed of Members of the American Bar Association. ABE makes annual grants to the American Bar Foundation and ABA Fund for Justice and Education to fulfill ABE's charitable purpose of improving the administration of justice, one of our profession's highest obligations, by funding research, public service and educational projects in the field of law. ABE also maintains a Legal Legacy Fund for the permanent support of its grantees. By participating in the Endowment's insurance programs, designed for and available only to ABA Members, Members can contribute to these efforts. Attorneys who enroll in ABE-sponsored insurance programs agree that their share of any experience credits paid on the policies may be retained by the Endowment for its charitable purposes unless reclaimed as outlined below. The Internal Revenue Service has ruled that Members who leave their experience credits with the Endowment are eligible for a charitable contribution deduction on their individual income tax returns.

Members who donate experience credits to ABE make a difference. These funds, after administrative expenses, are the primary source of ABE's charitable grants and additions to the Legal Legacy Fund. Insured Members who donate experience credits help meet their professional and public responsibilities, as well as obtain valuable coverage for their families. About 85% of Members donate their experience credits; these Members are notified each year by late January of the amount, if any, of their experience credit donation for the prior year. (Experience credits are not guaranteed, and in any given year, a given plan may not pay experience credits; experience credits will vary from year to year.)

Members who wish to request a refund of their experience credits may do so. The approximate percentage of premium available for refund (if any) on each plan will be published in each November issue of the ABA Journal. You do not need to wait for this information as refund requests are accepted beginning January 1. To request that experience credits be paid to you rather than donated to ABE: After the first policy year of your participation, a written request for refund (by mail, fax, or e-mail to dividends@abendowment.org) must be made each year and must reach the Endowment by December 15. When ABE receives your refund request, it will send a confirmation. Retain it for your records as proof your request was timely received. If you do not receive a confirmation within 3 weeks, contact the ABE promptly to obtain another copy. (Special instructions for new applicants are contained in the application and apply to experience credits, if any, during the first policy year only.)

Experience credit checks and/or contribution notices for your tax return are mailed by late January. If you receive a contribution notice and you did not intend to make a contribution, you may request a one-time waiver of the December 15 deadline by asking for a refund, if you have not previously requested such a waiver.

Please note: Members who do not want to contribute experience credits to ABE must make a written request for refund each year, using the procedures above. When Members sign the application, they are agreeing to make an annual decision whether to contribute. Do not sign the application if you do not agree with these procedures.

Disability Insurance for Lawyers: A Financial Safeguard When Injury or Sickness Prevent You from Working

Are you young and healthy?

Do you have stable financial footing?

No matter how secure you feel, you can use the protection of disability income insurance. By safeguarding yourself and your income now, while you are healthy and financially stable, you ensure coverage later, when you may need it most.

Own occupation definition of disability: This is an important feature where you can receive benefits for up to 5 years when you are totally disabled and unable to perform your regular occupation or specialty - not just "any occupation."

Completely portable: Your coverage protects you as long as you are an ABA member and under age 75, regardless of your employment.

Unique
charitable giving feature: Experience credits donated to the ABE help support over 200 legal research, educational, and public service projects and make you eligible for a charitable contribution deduction on your tax return.

Check out the Disability Insurance Plans available exclusively for ABA lawyer members (including a Retirement Contribution Disability Plan that continues to fund your qualified retirement savings plans) to determine which best meets your disability protection needs.

What if my firm already provides disability insurance?

When it comes to insurance, one size does not fit all. The coverage you qualify for through your employer may be limited, not measuring up for long-term disabilities or not providing enough to meet your financial obligations, such as your mortgage, living expenses, children's college education, retirement savings and assets, and care for your aging parents. Plus, many employer plans have a maximum time period on coverage (e.g., 2 years), which may leave you unprotected if your disability lasts longer, and many plans are subject to tax, which may reduce disability income by 20 to 30 percent. And, once your employment is over with a particular firm, so too may be your coverage.

Underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010 on Policy Form GMR. Coverage may vary or may not be available in all states.

New York Life Insurance Company's state of domicile is New York and its NAIC ID# is 66915.

All ABE-sponsored plans are group insurance plans, meaning coverage is issued to an ABA member under a Certificate of Insurance. It is not provided under an individual policy, nor is it employer/employee insurance. Plans may vary and may not be available in all states.

To Consider...

OUR VISION: Making a difference by funding programs that advance the American justice system and the rule of law.

OUR MISSION: To generate funds for the support of law-related research, educational and public service projects by building and sustaining the Legal Legacy Fund and by sponsoring insurance and other programs for the legal profession that encourage charitable giving.